PETALING JAYA: All agencies in charge of national disasters are on full alert following floods in seven states due to continuous heavy rain nationwide, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the chairman of the government’s Central Disaster Management Committee, said that 63 temporary relief centres (PPS) have been activated, with Kelantan currently the worst-hit state.
“The latest disaster report issued by the Disaster Control Centre, National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) as of 4pm on Monday (Nov 24) recorded that 4,844 families involving 13,915 victims have been affected by floods.
“Kelantan is among the worst affected, with the highest number of victims – 3,487 families and 9,503 individuals – followed by Perak with 485 families and 1,538 victims, Perlis with 426 families and 1,426 victims, Kedah with 168 families and 542 victims, Penang with 106 families and 414 victims, Selangor with 94 families and 283 victims, and Terengganu with 78 families and 209 victims,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said the government, through the Central Disaster Management Committee and Nadma, has mobilised all agencies involved in disaster management at every level.
“The preparedness of the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) personnel remains at an optimum level, especially in Kelantan, in anticipation of possible rising water levels and floods during the monsoon season.
“Currently, more than 1,205 APM personnel in Kelantan have been activated, including additional teams from neighbouring states who are ready to be deployed at any time.
“To ensure public safety, particularly in high-risk areas, APM is also on standby with 91 land and water assets, including various types of boats, ambulances, multipurpose trucks, four-wheel-drive vehicles, monitoring drones, and water-rescue equipment,” he added.
In addition, monitoring operations of weather conditions, river water levels, and high-risk slopes have been intensified through 24-hour surveillance by the Disaster Operations Control Centre, alongside APM’s Mandatory Measures and Proactive Actions.
Ahmad Zahid said he has also ordered the early activation of District Operations Control Centres in all districts, including Pasir Mas, Tumpat, Kuala Krai, Tanah Merah, Bachok, and other at-risk districts.
This is accompanied by regular patrols using land and water assets in flood-prone areas and the dissemination of the latest information through APM’s social media and close cooperation with other disaster-management agencies.
“The Government has also ensured that all evacuees housed at PPS are supplied with adequate disaster-relief essentials such as basic food items, tents, personal necessities, medications and more.
“I urge all flood victims as well as residents in high-risk areas to comply with instructions issued by the authorities from time to time to prevent and reduce the impact of the disaster on lives and property,” he said.
Up-to-date flood information and alerts are available via the publicinfobanjir.water.gov.my website as well as on Facebook (PublicInfoBanjir) and X (@JPSInfoBanjir).
For weather information, the public may download the myCuaca application for the latest and verified updates from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
